Excerpts from a blog of top 10 vacation reflections – Written by Natasha McIntyre)

We experienced our first Disney World trip with a service dog! We are novice Disney vacationers, only being our second trip. With that said, I had no earthly idea how to do Disney with a service dog. I packed lots of treats, his shoes, a travel water bowl, and my confidence…

9) Blaze made such a difference for Wyatt. I was amazed by how much of the parks Wyatt walked, how he got on and off the rides with more confidence and overall so much more calm and happy. Most people were so much more patient with us and provided smiles instead of stares…

by Good Dog! Koa's Mom - Lisa

The past two days have marked a turning point in our family’s life. We went back to Disneyland for the first time in five years! August is typically the most difficult month for Aaron, and one of the most crowded months at “Neeland" (as Aaron used to call it) but we just had a hunch our boy was ready. And, of course we have Koa now...

As we walked up to the gates, Steve and I both choked up. How could we not feel that way? Aaron was happily skip-walking along, Koa’s leash in his little hand, Small World playing in the background. The moment was awesome. Aaron did not show any trepidation. He was just HAPPY … Our sweet boy, who frequently struggles with some of life’s easiest tasks, was centered and joyful. The moment took our breath away.

by Laura Sylvester

Most people who have a child with a disability know that the most important thing to do when you first arrive at Disneyland is to pick up your special access pass at city hall. This pass lets your party (maximum of 6 people) enter most rides thru the exits. This pass is not intended to shorten wait times but instead to give access to wheel chairs or other special equipment and/or to give you and your child a separate area to wait.If you go to Disneyland with a service dog you will also want to pick up a yellow ‘Information on Services for Guests with Service Animals’ card at City Hall. This card gives you information on two important topics: 1. Where your service animal may relieve him/herself and 2. A list of the rides the animal can NOT go on.

by Laura Sylvester

I have PLAS. I have had it as long as I can remember. Much like Restless Leg Syndrome, Sweaty Palms Syndrome, or Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, I only find this a laughing matter when the condition is inactive, or when it’s considered as a legitimate medical issue, or when I think about all the PLAS pills that could be sold, or when I realize that I can make up a fake disease with the best of ‘em. So, most of the time it’s nuthin’ but good ‘ol fun. My history with PLAS really became most notable when I entered Motherhood and it definitely got worse when Elliot was diagnosed with autism. My PLAS flares up just about anytime I’m getting ready to take a trip that requires any kind of prep and it usually starts about 2-3 hours before leaving the house. However, for our recent trip to Disneyland, my PLAS started 3 DAYS prior to departure. And that really sucked. The general symptoms of PLAS may include, but are not limited to, worrying about being late even if there is no schedule, fear of forgetting to pack/bring something important, and irrational/unsubstantiated fears of things going wrong during the trip itself. In extreme cases, PLAS causes bad dreams and negative daytime fantasies (NDFs)